---The trouble is that you think you have time------Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe------It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---

The texts mention tattooing only in the context of punishment, so it would seem reasonable to assume that applicants who have voluntarily had themselves tattooed are not prohibited. Still, if tattoos visible when fully robed contain words or designs that are blatantly contrary to a bhikkhu's ideals, it would be wise to have them removed.

Strive4Karuna wrote:Is there a word for humility? If not, is sagaravata (respect) the closest word?

Not really.

Humility in the bad sense (having little self-esteem and a low opinion of oneself) is hīno'ham'asmi māna ("the 'I am inferior' conceit"), or omāna for short.

Humility in the good sense, meaning that one is docile and tractable enough to be teachable, is denoted by various words that would translate literally as "the state of being easily spoken to". The most common of these are soracca, sovacassatā, and suvacatā or subbacatā.

Another word for humility is nivāta, which appears in the famous Mangala Sutta, stanza # 8, which counsels humility along with reverence, contentment, and gratitude. Just reading through this brief set of verses has been a useful reminder to me.

'This Dhamma is for one who is modest, not for one who is self-aggrandizing.' Thus was it said. With reference to what was it said? There is the case where a monk, being modest, does not want it to be known that 'He is modest.' Being content, he does not want it to be known that 'He is content.' Being reclusive, he does not want it to be known that 'He is reclusive.' His persistence being aroused, he does not want it to be known that 'His persistence is aroused.' His mindfulness being established, he does not want it to be known that 'His mindfulness is established.' His mind being centered, he does not want it to be known that 'His mind is centered.' Being endowed with discernment, he does not want it to be known that 'He is endowed with discernment.' Enjoying non-objectification, he does not want it to be known that 'He is enjoying non-objectification.' 'This Dhamma is for one who is modest, not for one who is self-aggrandizing.' Thus was it said. And with reference to this was it said. http://www.buddha-vacana.org/sutta/angu ... 8-030.html